THE SOUTHERN MINN. HORT. SOCIETY. 413 



that Fillmore, Mower and Freeborn counties combined cover a ter- 

 ritory over two-thirds larger than the state of Rhode Island and 

 some larger than the state of Delaware. The above states yield 

 large quantities of fruits and vegetables. 



Knowing something of soil, climate and general conditions of 

 all these sections, allow me to express judgment, that, providing 

 the demand ever exists, our district of the three counties named 

 can and will produce much more annually than either of the states 

 mentioned. Now, aren't we "some pumpkins," and are not our pos- 

 sibilities beyond measure? Our opportunities are fine, and some 

 of us are beginning to improve them. We gladly acknowledge the 

 much that we have received from the state society. We greatly ap- 

 preciate the assistance from our brother horticulturists from north- 

 eastern Iowa, even if some of them are nurserymen, who neces- 

 sarily are w^atched and criticized by the farmers, as well as those 

 occupying our own field. We are not in the back seat as regards 

 nurserymen. The few in our field are doing a healthy, growing 

 business. 



All of the following figures are for the years '98 and '99, as I 

 haye been unable to obtain them for the present year. 



Our most prominent nurseryman, with whom most of you 

 have had a favorable acquaintance and association for years, sold 

 in the spring of 1899 nearly 27,000 fruit trees and nearly 165,000 

 shade and forest trees. Since then he has been largely extending 

 his metes and bounds and, doubtless, increasing his sales. Several 

 others are doing an increasing business. And we are on the border 

 land of several live, extensive, thorough and helpful dealers in 

 northern Iowa. It is estimated that within our limits there are at 

 least an average of twenty fruit trees, in a thrifty condition, per one 

 quarter section. The level prairie sections of the three counties, 

 as regards soil, subsoil, etc., are as well adapted to fruit of all north- 

 ern varieties and forest trees as any known prairie section, and 

 certainly most of Fillmore county is as well adapted as any of the 

 old fruit sections of the east as far as soil, location and ex- 

 posure are concerned. There are many farmers averaging an- 

 nually twenty-five to one hundred bushels of apples, largely 

 as yet in alternate years, and a few from five hundred to 

 three thousand bushels on such alternate years, with a grand 

 average perhaps of ten or more bushels per quarter section. 



A correspondent from Fillmore county says, "Could the crop 

 for 1898 of Fillmore county be known, it would be immense and 

 would surprise the natives. Of the 8,804 bushels mentioned, 

 above 5,150 bushels were grown and shipped by three individuals, 



